Due to the move of production to Cardiff, both [[Series 25]] and Series 26 feature an unusual number of cast changes.

Due to the move of production to Cardiff, both [[Series 25]] and Series 26 feature an unusual number of cast changes.

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Unexpectedly for viewers, Series 25 episode '[[Thanks For Today]]' saw the final appearance of [[Hasina Haque]] as nurse [[Madiha Durrani]]. Mads' departure from the department went unexplained for several weeks, with only a casual reference by the characters. An explanation was finally given in '[[A Pound Of Flesh]]', in which former love [[Lenny Lyons]] and the rest of the ED receive a letter from Mads announcing her marriage in Pakistan.

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Unexpectedly for viewers, Series 25 episode {{EpLink|Thanks For Today}} saw the final appearance of [[Hasina Haque]] as nurse [[Madiha Durrani]]. Mads' departure from the department went unexplained for several weeks, with only a casual reference by the characters. An explanation was finally given in {{EpLink|A Pound Of Flesh}}, in which former love [[Lenny Lyons]] and the rest of the ED receive a letter from Mads announcing her marriage in Pakistan.

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Series premier '[[Partners]]' saw the arrival of two new paramedics: [[Tamzin Bayle]], portrayed by [[Gemma Atkinson]], and [[Omar Nasri]], portrayed by [[Dhafer L'Abidine]]. The duo, however, did not remain on the show for long, making their final appearance in '[[Wild Horses]]'.

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Series premier {{EpLink|Partners}} saw the arrival of two new paramedics: [[Tamzin Bayle]], portrayed by [[Gemma Atkinson]], and [[Omar Nasri]], portrayed by [[Dhafer L'Abidine]]. The duo, however, did not remain on the show for long, making their final appearance in {{EpLink|Wild Horses}}.

Army medic [[Sam Nicholls]], portrayed by [[Charlotte Salt]], first appeared in '[[Mea Culpa]]', on loan to the hospital.

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Army medic [[Sam Nicholls]], portrayed by [[Charlotte Salt]], first appeared in {{EpLink|Mea Culpa}}, on loan to the hospital.

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[[File:RuthJayPublicity.jpg|thumb|Ruth and Jay appeared for the final time in 'Next of Kin - Part 2']]

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[[File:RuthJayPublicity.jpg|thumb|Ruth and Jay appeared for the final time in {{Ep|Next of Kin - Part 2}}]]

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Final Bristol-filmed episode '[[Next Of Kin - Part 2]]' saw the final appearance of [[Georgia Taylor]] and [[Ben Turner]] as [[Ruth Winters]] and [[Jay Faldren|Jay Faldren]].

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Final Bristol-filmed episode {{EpLink|Next Of Kin - Part 2}} saw the final appearance of [[Georgia Taylor]] and [[Ben Turner]] as [[Ruth Winters]] and [[Jay Faldren|Jay Faldren]].

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== Production ==

== Production ==

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Series 26 marked the start of high-definition filming of the show. From '[[Next Of Kin - Part 1]]', the show was filmed in high-definition<ref>"Oliver Kent - 'Casualty' series producer" - Digital Spy - 6 July 2011 [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s18/casualty/interviews/a328181/oliver-kent-casualty-series-producer.html]</ref>. However, it was not until '[[Duty Of Care (Series 26)|Duty Of Care]]' that the show was broadcast in such a format.

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Series 26 marked the start of high-definition filming of the show. From {{EpLink|Next Of Kin - Part 1}}, the show was filmed in high-definition<ref>"Oliver Kent - 'Casualty' series producer" - Digital Spy - 6 July 2011 [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s18/casualty/interviews/a328181/oliver-kent-casualty-series-producer.html]</ref>. However, it was not until {{EpLink|Duty Of Care (Series 26)}} that the show was broadcast in such a format.

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The series also sees [[Oliver Kent]] step down as Series Producer of the show. From 'Next Of Kin - Part 1', he is replaced by [[Nikki Wilson]].

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The series also sees [[Oliver Kent]] step down as Series Producer of the show. From {{Ep|Next Of Kin - Part 1}}, he is replaced by [[Nikki Wilson]].

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Work started on the new drama village in June 2010<ref>"Work starts on BBC Wales drama village in Cardiff Bay" - BBC News - 24 June 2010 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10402789]</ref>. At the it's topping-out ceremony, it was announced that the site would be called Roath Lock<ref>"BBC Wales drama village name unveiled as Roath Lock" - BBC News - 20 January 2011 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12239947]</ref>. Construction of the first phase, including the ''Casualty'' lot, was completed a few months later {{cite}}.

Work started on the new drama village in June 2010<ref>"Work starts on BBC Wales drama village in Cardiff Bay" - BBC News - 24 June 2010 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10402789]</ref>. At the it's topping-out ceremony, it was announced that the site would be called Roath Lock<ref>"BBC Wales drama village name unveiled as Roath Lock" - BBC News - 20 January 2011 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12239947]</ref>. Construction of the first phase, including the ''Casualty'' lot, was completed a few months later {{cite}}.

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Production of the show moved to Cardiff in August 2011<ref>"TV's Casualty in Cardiff move after 25 years in Bristol" - BBC News - 19 August 2011 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14548224]</ref>. As filming was about four months ahead of airing, the first episodes filmed at Roath Lock commenced airing at the start of 2012. 'Next Of Kin - Part 1' and 'Next Of Kin - Part 2' served as transition episodes, with a fire destroying the ED. This allowed the change of set to be explained in-universe.

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Production of the show moved to Cardiff in August 2011<ref>"TV's Casualty in Cardiff move after 25 years in Bristol" - BBC News - 19 August 2011 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14548224]</ref>. As filming was about four months ahead of airing, the first episodes filmed at Roath Lock commenced airing at the start of 2012. {{Ep|Next Of Kin - Part 1}} and {{Ep|Next Of Kin - Part 2}} served as transition episodes, with a fire destroying the ED. This allowed the change of set to be explained in-universe.

Unlike previous series, Series 26 aired straight after Series 25, with no break between the two. Instead, a mid-season break took place, between the final Bristol-filmed episode 'Next Of Kin - Part 2' on 10 December 2011, and the first Cardiff-filmed episode 'Duty Of Care' on 7 January 2012.

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Unlike previous series, Series 26 aired straight after Series 25, with no break between the two. Instead, a mid-season break took place, between the final Bristol-filmed episode {{Ep|Next Of Kin - Part 2}} on 10 December 2011, and the first Cardiff-filmed episode {{Ep|Duty Of Care (Series 26)}} on 7 January 2012.

Due to the London Olympic Games being aired on the BBC, Series 26 only featured 41 episodes - the least number of episodes since [[Series 17]].

Due to the London Olympic Games being aired on the BBC, Series 26 only featured 41 episodes - the least number of episodes since [[Series 17]].

Revision as of 12:21, April 5, 2012

Series 26 was the twenty-sixth series of Casualty and commenced airing on 13 August 2011. The series marked the end to filming the show in Bristol, with episodes airing in 2012 being filmed at BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

Contents

Cast Changes

Due to the move of production to Cardiff, both Series 25 and Series 26 feature an unusual number of cast changes.

Unexpectedly for viewers, Series 25 episode "Thanks For Today" saw the final appearance of Hasina Haque as nurse Madiha Durrani. Mads' departure from the department went unexplained for several weeks, with only a casual reference by the characters. An explanation was finally given in "A Pound Of Flesh", in which former love Lenny Lyons and the rest of the ED receive a letter from Mads announcing her marriage in Pakistan.

Production

Series 26 marked the start of high-definition filming of the show. From "Next Of Kin - Part 1", the show was filmed in high-definition[1]. However, it was not until "Duty Of Care" that the show was broadcast in such a format.

The series also sees Oliver Kent step down as Series Producer of the show. From "Next Of Kin - Part 1", he is replaced by Nikki Wilson.

Move to Cardiff

Exterior of Roath Lock.

In October 2008, the BBC first announced proposals to move the production of Casualty from Bristol to Wales, as part of the BBC's plan to "achieve half of all network output outside London by 2016."[2]. The move was met by great opposition by both fans of the show and the people of Bristol. Derek Thompson, who portrayed Charlie Fairhead, was also opposed to the move[3].

In March 2009, it was announced that the show would move production to Cardiff in mid-2011. Although not finalised at the time, the BBC also announced plans to develop a "sustainable centre of excellence for drama" in Wales[4].

Construction of the main building.

Work started on the new drama village in June 2010[5]. At the it's topping-out ceremony, it was announced that the site would be called Roath Lock[6]. Construction of the first phase, including the Casualty lot, was completed a few months later [citation needed].

Production of the show moved to Cardiff in August 2011[7]. As filming was about four months ahead of airing, the first episodes filmed at Roath Lock commenced airing at the start of 2012. "Next Of Kin - Part 1" and "Next Of Kin - Part 2" served as transition episodes, with a fire destroying the ED. This allowed the change of set to be explained in-universe.

Map of Roath Lock.(The Casualty lot is highlighted in blue)

The new set featured a larger, more open department interior, and, for the first time on the show, an integrated exterior entrance. Previously, interior scenes of the hospital were filmed in a warehouse, while exterior scenes of the ED entrance was filmed at a separate location. The new set allows for more dynamic shots, with the camera able to follow characters in an out of the hospital without cutting.

Airing

Unlike previous series, Series 26 aired straight after Series 25, with no break between the two. Instead, a mid-season break took place, between the final Bristol-filmed episode "Next Of Kin - Part 2" on 10 December 2011, and the first Cardiff-filmed episode "Duty Of Care" on 7 January 2012.

Due to the London Olympic Games being aired on the BBC, Series 26 only featured 41 episodes - the least number of episodes since Series 17.

New ED doctor Sam Nicholls arrives at Holby, on loan from the army and dead set on bringing her battlefield attitude to the hospital. Meanwhile, Noel feels the angry public are getting too close for comfort.

A young boy is seriously hurt after being caught in the cross-fire between two warring families, and Lloyd's perseverance pays off when he discovers that an elderly timewaster has real health problems.

Dixie is forced to take a call during her break, only to become frustrated by what appears to be a hoax. Unhappy with her working conditions, she complains to ambulance controller Louise, but their feud has fatal consequences.